And not strictly in Bristol either…….

The first time we booked to fly from there was to Fuerteventura a couple of years ago, then Thomsons, in true style decided to let us know about major building works at our apartments a mere 6 days before we were due to travel, the result? We ended up having a week in Cyprus with JMC from Cardiff instead. The second time, we had booked a half term trip to Tunisia complete with whole family, and I mean whole; including ex-wife, new partner, her in laws, her son, my stepson, martin, me and Tasha – then my other half was hit with an operation and a big ‘C’ diagnosis less than 4 weeks before travelling, yet another cancellation!!.

Car was a definite no-no, train and ferry was not fancied, price with BA from Cardiff (Pre BMIBaby daysand unsurprisingly no longer operational) was around £400 return; so to the rescue, FlyBE from Bristol – third time lucky? But enough of my ramblings, onto the facts.

Charter destinations, as would probably be expected, vary between summer and winter, the former including the more popular European package holiday destinations.

From the M4 East and Westbound, you leave the motorway at Junction 22 and use the M49 link motorway down to the A4, careful you don’t end up on the M5, easily done. To be fair, the airport is signposted all the way down, but you will find yourself going around the outskirts of Bristol, under the Clifton Suspension bridge, past Bristol City Football ground (be aware of this if City are playing at home) and on to North Somerset across lots of roundabout, one-way systems and road junction crossovers – not the easiest of treks (c.20 miles) and has been known to take me as long as getting from Swansea to the M49.

The car-park in Bristol is massive, the ground of extremely poor quality, the one-way systems are not strictly so because of barriers being where they shouldn’t, so take care. Car Parking is, I have to say, extortionately priced for a regional airport, £12 per day or part thereof, long term and short-term. Cardiff sets you back a maximum of £5/day, even Gatwick onsite parking was cheaper. Aaagggh – when we flew to Prague, my car-parking bill for 3 days was only £7 less than the flight – the ticket machine seems to have a mind of its own, I have paid different amounts for the same amount of parking, sometimes two full day rates for around 36 hours, other times £18.20.

Parking can be paid for in the machines in the terminal using cheque or credit card, those machines in the main departure area are generally quieter than those in baggage reclaim; If you do elect to pay at the exit barrier you will be restricted to credit card payment and there is usually a queue.

THE AIRPORT ITSELF
Bristol has a nice new glass terminus, I do believe that not so long ago it was a wooden shack you will see as you approach the car-park, I was told the new build was nice, and was looking forward to my first visit, finally..

After checking in (2 hours scheduled/3 hours charter), you can browse around their small (and I mean small) selection of shops before moving through passport control into departures. There is a Dorothy Perkins Outlet, WH Smiths, and Claire’s Accessories, all surrounded by a ‘small’ seating area.

I have only sampled the obligatory Burger King food here, as usually I am in a rush to get to the airport, and whilst the food is good, cheaper than motorway service stations, but dearer than the high street, the customer service is “DIABOLICAL” – rude and slow - my partner was astonished at how appalling it was, how I kept my cool I will never know.

Upstairs there is a small gaming area, toilets, telephones, snack bar selling rolls, coffees and pastries and the bar, apparently the guy, a very friendly little chap who runs it, has a twin brother that runs the other bar before airside, but enough about him, the lager is warm and expensive, around £1.30 for a half-pint.

In addition to the usual facilities, there is an Executive Lounge at Bristol, Opening hours Mon-Fri & Sun: 20.30 hours Sat: 20.00 hours; this offers complementary snacks, soft and alcoholic drinks, newspapers and internet and fax services, it is also no smoking – although a £17.50 charge and a maximum check in-time of 3 hours before your flight is due to depart, somewhat overpriced I think, I will stick with my cacky tasting ½ lager in the main bar when I can enjoy my ciggie in mucky relative comfort. The lounge cannot be used for travellers going to Eire and Northern Ireland, not sure why.

Expensive parking, cold weather, warm beer and not the place you would want to be stranded for a long time, but for me it is more convenient than London or Birmingham, and as Bristol often has the right destination at the right time for me, case in point being my timely forthcoming arrival at Bristol from Glasgow the first day of the next Ciao meet, but out of choice I would pick Cardiff every time, not too wonderful in a crisis, but a better array of shops, eateries and bars.